T a k u m a r 1 : 5.6 / 200
Produced 1962 to 1966. Serial numbers 486xxx - 956xxx. AOCo Product No.347 Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.719. Updated April 2025
( see also T e l e - T a k u m a r 1 : 5.6 / 200 )
Produced 1962 to 1966. Serial numbers 486xxx - 956xxx. AOCo Product No.347 Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.719. Updated April 2025
( see also T e l e - T a k u m a r 1 : 5.6 / 200 )
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 2.20% (343 copies) of the total estimated 15,600 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
This is a classic preset telephoto lens with 5 separate glass elements. It is small (49mm diameter filter), compact and lightweight (efficient tele ratio of 0.78) with admirable qualities and a favourite of landscape photographers. It has no tripod mount and can be hand-held safely outdoors. It comes with a 74mm long glossy hood labelled with the name and a case with the AOCo logo pressed into the top that was produced in several different styles.
It was designed in 1961 (347) and advertised as the “200mm (compact)”. It was sold as a convenient alternative to the bulky Takumar 1:3.5 / 200mm that was discontinued in 1965. Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (1965) declared: “If lens speed is not important, the budget-priced Takumar f/5.6 represents a fine value in telephoto optics. Extremely light and compact, it is well-balanced and very easy to use.”
The strategy worked well and was repeated. Twice as many copies were sold under a new name (see “Tele-Takumar” 351) alongside the more sophisticated Super-Takumar 1:4 / 200mm until both lenses were discontinued in 1971. The new product number seems redundant now but re-naming helped product differentiation in the global market.
Initially, Takumar 1:5.6 / 200mm (347) was designed to be 117.5mm long and weigh less that 370 gm (see lens diagram). Its weight was described at that time as “only slightly more” than the new Super-Takumar 1:3.5 / 135mm but it became heavier with successive changes. There is significant cosmetic and mechanical variation within and between 347 and 351.
Cases are cylindrical, made of brown or black leather and lined with blue or green felt. The name "Takumar 5.6 / 200" in fine lettering was pressed into the tops of cases from 1964 and other lettering styles were used on later cases.
This is a classic preset telephoto lens with 5 separate glass elements. It is small (49mm diameter filter), compact and lightweight (efficient tele ratio of 0.78) with admirable qualities and a favourite of landscape photographers. It has no tripod mount and can be hand-held safely outdoors. It comes with a 74mm long glossy hood labelled with the name and a case with the AOCo logo pressed into the top that was produced in several different styles.
It was designed in 1961 (347) and advertised as the “200mm (compact)”. It was sold as a convenient alternative to the bulky Takumar 1:3.5 / 200mm that was discontinued in 1965. Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (1965) declared: “If lens speed is not important, the budget-priced Takumar f/5.6 represents a fine value in telephoto optics. Extremely light and compact, it is well-balanced and very easy to use.”
The strategy worked well and was repeated. Twice as many copies were sold under a new name (see “Tele-Takumar” 351) alongside the more sophisticated Super-Takumar 1:4 / 200mm until both lenses were discontinued in 1971. The new product number seems redundant now but re-naming helped product differentiation in the global market.
Initially, Takumar 1:5.6 / 200mm (347) was designed to be 117.5mm long and weigh less that 370 gm (see lens diagram). Its weight was described at that time as “only slightly more” than the new Super-Takumar 1:3.5 / 135mm but it became heavier with successive changes. There is significant cosmetic and mechanical variation within and between 347 and 351.
Cases are cylindrical, made of brown or black leather and lined with blue or green felt. The name "Takumar 5.6 / 200" in fine lettering was pressed into the tops of cases from 1964 and other lettering styles were used on later cases.
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
- The 1961 lens diagram shows prototypes of this lens with initial overall length of 117.5mm and the first three batches produced conform to this plan. Those copies (of which there existed approx. 1200) also have 8 blades in their diaphragms and the largest font for distance numerals on a crowded depth of field gauge.
- These early prototypes have 7 aperture setting positions and two white dots between f=11 and f=5.6 positions. The light seal is a 28mm cylinder sunk 6mm deep into the seat ring as illustrated in the repair manual for 347 (See rear view). The main barrel install ring (BIR) is screwed into place.
- Photographs of these prototypes illustrate early manuals and some later ones. These are the copies that weigh 370g (13.1 oz). This weight is used consistently in AOCo and other publications. (For the common 10 blade version Honeywell Pentax publications quote 14.2oz (403g).)
- Lens weights vary. Weights in the following table are of my own copies (without caps or filters).
- It must have been felt that the prototypes were too small. By 1962 the total length was increased to 120mm to allow the width of each of its 3 finely knurled rings to be increased by < 1mm. There are 10 blades in the diaphragms of these lenses, smaller lettering on the distance scales and a Infra-Red focus point (a red “R”) was added to the LHS f=22 marker.
- There are 8 aperture setting positions and a third white dot between F=16 and f=11. The light seal is flush with the seat ring. It has two internal flanges; a deep internal flange and the outer-most, perforated with a pair of small opposing holes (see illustrated in the repair manual for 351). The main barrel install ring (BIR) is screwed into place.
- The number of white dots on aperture rings readily separates early copies from later ones. The weights of copies increased over time because different construction and materials were used. The quoted weight in all AOCo literature on 347 and 351 remained unchanged (13.1oz or 370g), despite a range of up to 40g difference. Honeywell Pentax publications in January 1965 quote 14.2 oz (approx. 403g) for the 10 blade 347.
NOTES
- In 1965 this lens was re-named “Tele-Takumar” and given a new product number (351). Twice as many copies were sold under this name until it too was discontinued. Product numbers are not inscribed on lenses of either name. Official literature often used and re-used photographs of the prototype 8 bladed Takumar (347) when advertising the Tele-Takumar 1:5.6 / 200mm (351) (e.g. Asahi Pentax SL operating manual 1970(E)).
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 343 Serial Numbers observed in 23 Batches covering 13,074 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 18,109 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 23 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two Styles: All distance scales coloured.
▼Batches (1-3) 368g, length 117.5mm. Large numerals on focus ring. Diaphragm with 8 blades. Seven aperture positions with 2 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 7mm wide. No IR mark ▲
▾▾Batches (4-20) 397-400g. length 120mm. Red IR mark. Diaphragm with 10 blades. Eight aperture positions with 3 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 8mm wide.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 23 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two Styles: All distance scales coloured.
▼Batches (1-3) 368g, length 117.5mm. Large numerals on focus ring. Diaphragm with 8 blades. Seven aperture positions with 2 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 7mm wide. No IR mark ▲
▾▾Batches (4-20) 397-400g. length 120mm. Red IR mark. Diaphragm with 10 blades. Eight aperture positions with 3 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 8mm wide.
|
▼ 486468 to 486661 (6/ 193) 501763 to 502104 (13/ 341) 501770 502192 to 502201 (3/ 34) ▲▼ ▼ 536439 to 536764 (3/ 325) 536804 to 537380 (21/ 576) 544691 to 544713 (2/ 22) 555842 to 556594 (13/ 752) |
Serial Numbers in 23 Batches
(n /SN range) Collection 628491 to 628685 (2/ 194) 639462 to 640051 (14/ 589) 658370 to 659166 (17/ 796) 658977 677017 to 677812 (14/ 795) 678843 (1/ 1) 691072 to 691793 (13/ 721) 713890 to 714687 (16/ 797) 719322 to 719835 (10/ 513) 729824 (1/ 1) |
745626 to 746588 (33/ 962) 755851 to 756970 (27/ 1119) 756368 805338 to 806784 (43/ 1446) 844125 to 845742 (54/ 1617) 911123 to 911401 (7/ 278) 950435 to 951287 (29/ 1001) 956629 (1/ 1) |
MARKETING
The early 200mm lenses were marketed in tandem during the early 1960's with a price differential. One for optical capabilities the other for convenience of use (lightweight). In this brochure it costs (Yen) 17,000 and its competition (Yen) 25,000.
The early 200mm lenses were marketed in tandem during the early 1960's with a price differential. One for optical capabilities the other for convenience of use (lightweight). In this brochure it costs (Yen) 17,000 and its competition (Yen) 25,000.
